I still remember decorating my purple Huffy bike for our neighborhood 4th of July block party in Fair Oaks, Calif. I got that bicycle all dolled up in red, white and blue streamers and pedaled with pride down the street with my friends and my two little sisters. Sure, I loved the fireworks and the cook-out — but the best part of July 4th was riding my bike.

There's a new rider at the top of the individual leader board for the National Bike Challenge: Michael Lemuel. But who's the man behind that purple and white shield, logging a mind-boggling number of miles deep in the Kansas heartland?
Well, Michael Lemuel isn't your average cyclist (and we're not just talking about superhuman stamina). He's a disabled veteran on a limited income — $123 per month...

From America Bikes:
On Friday, Congress will vote on a new transportation bill that reverses years of progress on biking and walking policy and cuts by 60 to 70 percent funding for local safety projects such as sidewalks, crosswalks, and bike lanes.

The new transportation bill is bad for bicycling and walking. There is no dancing around the issue: the bill will result in significant cuts to available funding for bicycling and walking programs and hands even more power to state departments of transportation for the allocation of the remaining "transportation alternatives" dollars.

While much of the country celebrated on May 18, today is Bike to Work Day in Denver, Colo. — and they sure have plenty to celebrate. More than 14,000 folks are registered for BTWD, but they're just a small indication of how cycling is skyrocketing in the Mile High City.

We're all waiting with bated breath as the members of a Congressional conference committee race to beat the clock on the June 30th expiration of the current extension of the federal transportation bill. Unfortunately, the fate of critical funding for bicycle and pedestrian programs hangs in the balance — despite an overwhelming show of support over the past several months.